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Friday, May 13, 2016

What is this referendum all about? Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is this referendum all about?

Under our Constitution, Bahamian men and women do not have
equal rights. This referendum will change that - so that all Bahamians
have the right to pass citizenship to their family members in the same
way, and so Parliament cannot create any new laws that discriminate
against men or women. These simple changes will ensure greater fairness
and equal rights for our sons and daughters.

Why should The Bahamas make these changes?

Men and women have the same responsibilities as citizens - for example, everyone pays taxes in the same way - so they should have the same rights, too. We all want our sons and daughters to be treated fairly, and to have the same rights.

Why should I participate in a vote?

This is a big moment for our country! It is not often that
voters get to make history. This is an opportunity to put aside politics
and do something important for our sons and daughters, the next
generation.

Will the Government be able to overturn the vote?

No. This is a different kind of referendum than the gaming referendum. This is a constitutional referendum, not a consultative one. This means legally, the people's voice is the final word.

Will #4 affect marriage in The Bahamas?

No! The Matrimonial Clauses Act defines marriage in The
Bahamas as one man and one woman, and Article 26(4)(c) protects this
definition under the Constitution. It is also a matter of established
law that your gender is established on your birth certificate. The ONLY
purpose of amendment 4 is to give men and women equal rights.

What does "equal rights" mean - that men and women are the same?

It means men and women are treated the same in our
Constitution and under our laws. Men and women will always be different,
and no Constitutional amendment will change that - we celebrate our
differences. But when citizens share the same responsibilities, like
paying taxes, they should also share the same rights.

Don't Bahamian women already have the rights that men have?

Bahamian women have made great power, and amendment four
would protect that progress, make sure we don't ever backslide as a
nation. Politicians now have the power to pass laws that treat our sons
and daughters differently when it comes to wages, job protections,
inheritance, and more. Amendment 4 would take that power away.

Where can I get more information/read the amendments?

Please attend an information session with the Constitutional
Commission; they are traveling around the country making legal experts
available to answer questions. In addition, the text of the amendments
and more information is available at yesbahamas.org.